Overview

Summary

This unique course will equip graduates to report from international hostile environments in a safe, informed and innovative way. It was developed in consultation with media organisations, conflict reporters and international security/safety experts/disaster healthcare specialists, all with frontline hostile environment experience. This is supplemented by academic research and critique of the coverage of conflict, terrorism, natural disasters and of state suppression of media and investigative journalists. Students complete a 12,000 word dissertation in a chosen topic.

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Coleraine campus

Our coastal and riverside campus with a primary academic focus on science and health

About this course

About

This new course will equip graduates to report from hostile environments in a safe, informed and innovative way. It was developed in consultation with media organisations, conflict reporters and international security/safety experts/disaster healthcare specialists, all with frontline hostile environment experience. This was supplemented by academic research and critique of the coverage of conflict, terrorism, natural disasters and of state suppression of media and investigative journalists. The University has long and successful experience running an MSc in Disaster Health Management (online/blended), MA Journalism, MSc Disaster Recovery and MFA Photography (online/campus) and expertise from these programmes will also be used for this new course.

The figures are stark for the increasing global danger for journalists. Some 780 journalists have been killed since 2006 (Reporters Sans Frontiers, 2017) with 74 killed alone in 2016. Thus, Ulster University is harnessing its expertise in areas related to conflict to deliver this innovative programme.

This course is underpinned with advanced practical skills on remaining safe and assessing risk that meet the requirements of major media organisations.This element will be taught through a week long field exercise preceding the course by several highly experienced international trainers all with decades of front line experience in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mexico and parts of Africa. Even for those opting to complete the course by distance learning, they will have to attend this element in person and it will be delivered the week before the main semester starts.

This hostile environment training course will cover preparation such as country analyses prior to deployment to include geography, history, economics and social structure.This also includes familiarising yourself with cultural etiquette and local area taboos, regional threats and in country communications infrastructure analyses. Water purification and food sourcing and survival tools will also be included. Also preparation such as travel vaccinations, tropical medicine, visas and currencies. It will include a component on emergency first aid and disaster zone healthcare. Other elements will include surviving natural disasters, navigation training, theft avoidance and security of possessions, packing kit, equipment and safety devices. The area of vehicle maintenance and loading, vehicle systematic search and transport considerations.

Once in the hostile environment, it will look at personal and accommodation security and situation awareness and counter surveillance measures. It will look then at the more journalistic elements such a meeting sources, establishing remote source communication, using cover stories, telephone security and negotiating check-points. Mines and weapon awareness will also be covered.

It will then look at more common areas that can become hostile environments such as civil disturbances and riots, crowd dynamics and control. Finally, there will be a session on post-traumatic stress disorder awareness. Each day will also have a reflective session.

The course, however, is not just a hostile environments training and certification programme. It will provide students with a deep theoretical understanding of the key elements that both create hostile environments and critiques of how they have been covered in the past. The School has several staff expert on analysis of conflict and post conflict reporting and investigative journalism, particularly relating to paramilitary groups. Other staff from biomedical science, disaster and austere environment nursing, environmental science and disaster recovery engineering who will give guest lectures on disease, climate change, earthquakes and disaster recovery. Students will select an area of importance to their career or interest and complete a 12,000 word dissertation researching this area. These could be areas of conflict, terrorism, post-conflict, criminal gangs, state suppression, climate change, famine, natural disaster, refugee issues and disease.

This will be coupled with National Council for the Training of Journalists’ accredited modules in news gathering and writing, feature writing, ethics and regulation (UK), media law (UK), online, mobile and broadcast journalism. These more technical modules will also harness the School’s new £6m investment in media facilities and expertise in new areas of production to develop new ways of covering journalistically stories from hostile environments.

Attendance

Semesters 1 and 2 from mid-September to mid-May; attendance can be 9am-5pm at least four days a week. Semester 3 is spent on optional placement and completion of the dissertation.

Start dates

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Year one

Reporting in a Digital Age 1

Year: 1

Status: C

This module introduces students to foundational skills in newsgathering and reporting, feature writing, research, and basic sub-editing and design using desktop publishing software. Students will produce a portfolio of journalistic work that will be presented on pages that they themselves create. They will be encouraged to look critically and analytically at a wide range of journalism. The module will use a range of appropriate and effective teaching methods and forms of assessment.

Media Law - General Reporting

Year: 1

Status: C

This module offers a critical, academic and practical introduction to the broad range of legal topics relevant to those working in journalism. It covers the legal system, defamation and an introduction to court procedure and contempt of court. It also deals with matters such as copyright, privacy, breach of confidence and professional codes. The module prepares students for the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) professional law exam in Essential Media Law. It will feature class simulations to test the learner's ability to apply this knowledge in reasoned legal decision-making pertinent to their work.

Reporting for Audio Media

Year: 1

Status: C

This module provides to an industry standard, theoretical and practical knowledge of audio news reporting for radio and online platforms, in its professional institutional and regulatory contexts. Students are instructed in the practice of newsgathering and production techniques. They will work on both individual, and group projects in a live, real-time news scenario.

Journalism and Conflict

Year: 1

Status: C

This module introduces MA International Journalism: Hostile Environment Reporting students to current issues and debates in the study of news and journalism in hostile, conflict and post conflict societies. It will examine the role of the media in reporting terrorism. It will provide them with the intellectual framework within which to think about and develop their MA Dissertation proposal. The module also provides practical training in working safely and effectively in hostile environments.

International Journalism and Trauma

Year: 1

Status: C

This module introduces MA Journalism students to current issues and debates in the study of news and journalism in societies undergoing the trauma of conflict, disease, famine and environmental change. Students will apply their knowledge and critical understanding of these issues to contemporary journalism and consider the implications for reporting war, disease and natural disaster. The programme will provide them with the intellectual framework within which to think about and develop their MA Dissertation. The module will also prepare the student for their proposal and journalistic assignment .

MA Dissertation: Hostile Environment Reporting

Year: 1

Status: C

This module will allow students to undertake a sustained piece of independent work on a topic related to reporting from a hostile environment internationally. Having agreed a topic with an appointed supervisor that will offer scope for combining academic, personal and professional elements, students will produce a dissertation of approximately 12,000 words or an agreed equivalent in another format. Students on appropriate MA programmes will be encouraged to liaise with industry personnel and tutorial support will begiven on a regular basis by the supervisor.

Reporting in a Digital Age 2

Year: 1

Status: C

This module allows the student to put into practice the skills acquired in the previous parts of the course. It will allow them develop their skills further by focusing on in-depth journalistic projects. This will refine their skills in journalism practice and production in preparation for the work place and/or further study. They will work individually to produce an in-depth investigative feature of a high standard. They will then use this and additional articles produced by students to edit, design and produce their work in print or on-line. The module will use a range of appropriate and effective teaching methods and forms of assessment.

Reporting for Audio-Visual Media

Year: 1

Status: C

This module provides to an industry standard, theoretical and practical knowledge of audio-visual news reporting in its professional, institutional and regulatory contexts. Students are instructed in the practice of newsgathering and production for radio, television and other audio-visual platforms using appropriate hardware and software. It is based in an appropriate and effective learning and teaching environment.

Entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

At least a 2.2 at degree level. Other professional experience will be considered.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicantsThe minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Teaching and learning assessment

The course contains a considerable practice based element. Teaching and learning is delivered through live news exercises, as well as a portfolio of original work. Assessment is through practice based work and essays where appropriate.

Exemptions and transferability

None.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

Students will find a wide range of career options in local, national or international news media organisations in print, broadcast or online. Some may also seek to work for non-governmental organisations who work in difficult environments or advocacy groups.

Work placement / study abroad

Those without relevant work experience or those who choose will be assisted in securing a work placement over part of the summer months but it is not mandatory.

Apply

You should also submit an unpublished news article of 500 words that a newspaper in the area that you live (no matter where in the world) could publish. The article should be word-processed, using double line spacing. Applicants with published news stories or audio-visual pieces may submit two of these in addition to their unpublished article. This should be clearly labelled with title of publication, date and page number. The original article/material should not be submitted as we are unable to return supplementary materials. News stories should be emailed to Colm Murphy (c.murphy@ulster.ac.uk).

Interviews are usually held in early May. The closing date is 30 April. Late applications may be accepted if vacancies exist.

Start dates

September 2019

Fees and funding

Fees (total cost)

Important notice - fees information
Fees illustrated are based on 18/19 entry and are subject to an annual increase. Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply. Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.
Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees

Additional mandatory costs

Tuition fees and costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges), and normal living are a part of university life.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses we make every effort to highlight them. These may include residential visits, field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering) inoculations, security checks, computer equipment, uniforms, professional memberships etc.

We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free wifi is also available on each of the campuses.

There will be some additional costs to being a student which cannot be itemised and these will be different for each student. You may choose to purchase your own textbooks and course materials or prefer your own computer and software. Printing and binding may also be required. There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines. Additional costs vary from course to course.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs as well as tuition fees.